Ana Barend MA, LMHC, NCC

Ana is a warm, inviting, and compassionate therapist who cares deeply for her clients’ wellbeing and healing. She has a Master’s in Clinical Mental Health Counseling and a Master’s in Human Services Counseling, Marriage and Family cognate. Currently, Ana is working on her Ph.D. in Counselor Education and Supervision to improve as a clinician and further her career goals. Her vision as the Well’s clinical director is to foster connection and belonging to clinicians and staff and be a support person to whom others can approach to ensure best practices. She deeply believes the best leaders are servants, and that attitude informs her life, personally and professionally.  

Further, Ana is a former professional surfer, and she served as the Women’s Chaplain for the World Surf League (WSL), which gave her experience in offering support in goal setting, self-worth, and holistic care. She implements the theoretical framework deriving from cognitive behavioral and somatic therapies while drawing a strength-based approach to her counseling. Additionally, Ana is trained, and will soon be certified, in eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR). Her areas of interest are spirituality integration, anxiety, depression, identity, trauma, and developmental attachment issues. Ana has presented at numerous counseling conferences on embodiment practices, trauma, multiculturalism, and leadership.

Ana is a Christian and possesses a Christian worldview, which means she values the dignity and worth of every human being. As such, she aims to practice with the awareness of grace, love, understanding, respect, and compassion. Ana endeavors to display genuine empathy, listening ears, authentic connection, and validation while fostering hope and empowerment toward her clients’ goals. She deeply values every soul in front of her, for she believes everyone bears God’s image. She seeks to promote wellness and a life lived to the fullest with gratitude, meaning, and acceptance. 

Ana is fluent in Portuguese. 

Ana accepts Blue Cross Blue Shield, Optum Plans (United Healthcare, Harvard Pilgrim, AllWays), and Tufts (Commercial) insurance.

abarend@visitthewell.org